Saturday, 8 December 2018

NORMAN MAPEZA’S wife, Blandina, is thankful to God for one
big thing. That her husband, who was crowned the 2018 Castle Lager Premier
Soccer League Coach of the Year last Friday night, rarely loses matches.

Blandina sat by her husband’s side at a glittering Soccer
Star of the Year banquet held at a Harare hotel and was all smiles when Mapeza
bagged his second consecutive Coach of the Year award.

So animated is Mapeza on the touchline that one would
presume Blandina has a tough time containing the gaffer at home, especially
when he loses a match.

Luckily, she rarely welcomes home a losing husband. “Thank
God he (Mapeza) hardly loses,” said Blandina, before breaking into laughter.

A season that began with a setback for Mapeza who endured a
painful back surgery in March closed in style for the revered gaffer who guided
FC Platinum to a second consecutive league title.

Pure Platinum Play lost four times in 34 games, scoring 52
goals against 14 as Mapeza’s mean machine marched on to a memorable feat.

A man who spends most of his time reading about football, a
disciple of Pep Guardiola and Maurizio Sarri who doesn’t take losing lightly,
one would think Mapeza should be a difficult husband to handle.

But Blandina, who wore a black dress to complement her
husband’s black suit, revealed the other side of Mapeza.

“When you live in the same house with a great man in the
football world, you know how it is, you also end up loving the game.

“He (Mapeza) is so passionate about his game. When he comes
home he talks a lot about football but usually he doesn’t bring home that
vigour he shows on the touchline.

“Just like any other wife, I support him. Sometimes we
endure difficult times, you know how it is being a coach but we take it all in
our stride,” she said.

Mapeza has made it on football’s fast lane, achieving
greatness both as a player and a coach but his sons Njabulo (15) and Sasha (12)
have chosen different sporting paths.

They are into cricket and rugby.

“Our kids play other sports but they are very passionate
about their dad’s game. “They are always enquiring about his progress on the
field of play and they offer their dad maximum support,” revealed Blandina.

Mapeza has transformed FC Platinum into a formidable force
since taking over from Lloyd Mutasa in August 2014.

The former Warriors skipper has taken charge of 138 league
games, winning 83, drawing 39 and losing 16.

During that same period, Mapeza has amassed 288 points out
of a possible 414, which translates to a 70 percent success rate.

FC Platinum have 84 clean sheets in 138 games, they have
scored 194 goals and conceded 71 times since Mapeza’s first league game in
charge – a 1-0 win over Black Rhinos on August 20, 2014.

Mapeza has built a mean machine that is so ruthless at
fortress Mandava where FC Platinum have suffered just four losses in the 69
league matches they have played in Zvishavane since the revered gaffer took
charge.

“It’s all about hard work, we keep pushing. Thanks to the
FC Platinum executive, the fans, fellow coaches and journalists.

“I wish all of them a good festive season,” said Mapeza. The
gaffer spoke glowingly about his wife.

“She is very supportive, I can’t even express how
supportive she has been. You know how my season started with a back injury, she
was always there for me, urging me on.